The Rising Cost of the Double Cheeseburger and the decline of the American Economy

I read a fair amount of interesting news this morning: the U.S. government has another bailout in motion, this time $800 billion; the economy contracted more this summer than was previously thought; the real estate market is even more in the dumper; retailers are thinking this xmas shopping season may be the ultimate pits...but the one that stuck out in my mind was the announcment that the double cheeseburger will be raised in price from a buck to $1.19 in December.

Earth shattering news? Maybe. Think of it this way. The double cheeseburger has been the top seller at McDonald's for six years. To raise the price means trouble's afoot, particularly for a name brand mystery meat seller that thrives on its identity as a purveyor of "cheap, yet tasty" (and artery clogging if you don't mind me mentioning).

Fear not, though, for those who need an inexpensive rendition of two patties between two glucose-raising whitebread buns. The company will introduce a replacement one dollar "double" for its dollar menu. This one will be called...The McDouble (genius, eh?).

What's the difference and how they will get the price down to a buck on this burger? One piece of cheese versus two. Did I say genius?

Ah, but it's the little things that count. I'll stick with the $1.19 version and take my 2nd piece of cheese please.

Maybe I should check my wallet first.